Sweden battles largest forest fire in more than 40 years

A wildfire surging across central Sweden in Vastmanland province, some 90 miles northwest of Stockholm, is being called the worst forest fire in Sweden’s modern history, burning more than 60 square miles, according to news reports. Unfortunately, one man has reportedly died in the fire.

As northern Europe continues to struggle through a heat wave, firefighters are having a tough time controlling the fire, and officials there say that it could take weeks or even months to fully extinguish the flames.

About 1,000 people have been evacuated.

Kristalina Georgieva, the European Union Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, has told news reporters that forest fires are normally associated with southern Europe, but with this recent incident, talk has shifted to the fact that wildfire knows no boundaries.

NFPA has been well aware that wildfire risk to people and property is a growing problem around the world. To meet some of the challenges, NFPA is working closely with countries including Canada, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, to expand outreach and collaborate on a common goal of reducing the losses associated with wildfire. Read more about wildfire safety efforts around the globe on NFPA’s “international partnerships” webpage.